Friday, May 24, 2019

A tale of two men


After Luke 18:9-14

Two men in the temple
to pray:
one a Pharisee,
one a tax collector;
one of the most admired class,
one of the most despised class;
one standing apart,
one just standing;
one thankful for his sinlessness,
one broken in self-recognition;
one proud in his separation
   from extortion, injustice, adultery,
one broken in self-understanding
   his heart pierced by self-awareness;
one seeking praise for his behavior,
one too ashamed to look up;
one condemned,
one justified.

Photograph by Caleb Betts via Unsplash. Used with permission.

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